C-PORT (Conference of Professional Operators for Response Towing) presented lifesaving awards to a number of marine assistance operators at the 24th Annual C-PORT Conference Awards Banquet held on January 25, 2011 at Long Beach, CA. “We are pleased to have six lifesaving award recipients representing the Marine Assistance Industry,” Tina Cardone, Executive Director stated. “It was a great honor to have Captain David McBride, Chief, USCG Office of Search and Rescue present the Distinguished Service and Meritorious Service Awards to these deserving individuals on behalf of C-PORT.” Captain Gabriel Kinney, USCG (Ret) and President of AFRAS (Association For Rescue At Sea), was also in attendance to present an AFRAS Lifesaving Award at the banquet. “All of these operators are to be commended for their heroic efforts in serving the boating community,” remarked Chris Shaffner, C-PORT Chairman.